How many application cycles

[sumstorm]

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have you completed before gaining admission (or still not gaining admissions?) If you would like to share more info, I would also be interested in what you changed between application cycles.

Just thought this might be interesting and give some ideas for those of us starting to figure out what to do if we need to reapply.

 

[Pandacinny]

I applied three times and was accepted to my IS the third time.

I was interviewed every time, but this was the only year I made it in. I think what helped me was really varying my experience. I also clarified my goals some and got the experience to back up those goals.

 

[alliecat44]

Procrastinating on studying for clinpath tomorrow...anyways.

Four cycles over a total of six years. I never even got interviewed at my in-state (VMRCVM), but the first time I applied to K-State I was accepted.

Two years were taken off of the application cycle so I could just "be me" for an entire calendar year at a time instead of stressing 24/7 about either my application or waiting to hear.

Didn't change terribly much professionally--still worked as a tech in specialty practice (though changed specialties). Changed some stuff in my personal life (four-year professional acting program, ran a couple half-marathons). Re-took the GREs because my scores had actually expired. 🙂 (Graduated in 2001) Got a 720/710/6.0, so that probably helped. Didn't take any more classes/repeat classes, though, so my overall GPA was still about a 3.0.

Probably not info you were looking for, but bottom line is 4 cycles over 6 years!

 

[sumstorm]

alliecat, actually it is good info. I graduated in 2001 as well...so I know about expired GRE's, I retook mine, but only scored 50 points higher than last time I took them. Did you start applying straight out of school, then? I think the two years to be you is awesome (since I have had a few years for that.)

 

[alliecat44]

alliecat, actually it is good info. I graduated in 2001 as well...so I know about expired GRE's, I retook mine, but only scored 50 points higher than last time I took them. Did you start applying straight out of school, then? I think the two years to be you is awesome (since I have had a few years for that.)

Hi sumstorm! 🙂 Yes, the few years are necessary for your sanity...or for dealing with life's unexpected hurdles and challenges (I know you've had a rough time of it). I started applying the fall of my senior year of college (and actually went to VMRCVM for undergrad). Then the next year, then a year off, then the next year, then a year off, then finally a last-ditch effort finally paid off.

It's just so stressful hearing everyone say, "did you hear yet? did you hear yet?" and having to repeat eight bazillion times that you were rejected. It stings every...single...time. Wish people would understand that. This final time, I didn't even tell my mom until I was notified about an interview! 🙂

 

[sumstorm]

LOL. My poor husband swears he thinks he is more anxious about it than I am. Of course, when he sees me is just after I get home when I have finished an hour long Zumba class, so I am pretty physically chilled at that point and can't act nearly as anxious. I made the decision today that I won't pursue masters programs at vet schools with the intent to improve my vet school app, which is making me much less tense for the moment.

You are right about being asked all the time. My family, which I love dearly, has mostly consisted of HS drop outs (though hard working people) so they have absolutly 0 understanding of college/vet school, and actually look down on the education part as 'being lazy and avoiding work.' I am fortunate to have such a wonderful husband though, but even he asks daily 'have you heard anything?'

 

[alliecat44]

Yes!!! And then all your different co-workers in different departments who have different work schedules...so you answer it all damn day long. Plus when schools send out interview stuff and rejections at such different times of the cycle...it's like six months of extreme stress followed by bitter rejection and having to turn around and do it all over again. So hard!

Difficult decision to make about the master's. Remember to make yourself marketable for a different career just in case...

I had actually almost given up, as my pre-reqs had expired, until an extern from K-State came through our neuro practice and convinced me to apply. She even found out from the Dean for me that my pre-reqs would be considered by K-State since I had been working in the field. 🙂 If it weren't for her, I wouldn't be here!

 

[sumstorm]

Awesome! I may still pursue a Masters, but it will be in a part of science that I would want to do life long research in (and then probably with the intent to apply to PhD programs along side DVM...and accept a PhD if I didn't get a DVM position.) So not ruling out ever doing it...just not going to uproot myself for a program that doesn't fit my interests very closely. I love research, but I don't want to be pegged into a field that I don't fit into by trying to do it at a vet school aiming for admissions.

 

[alliecat44]

That was exactly what I had looked into as well (forensic science, molecular bio, etc etc). Totally agree with your perspective. 🙂 I'm really really pulling for you, btw!! 👍 😍 Big fan. 🙂

Off to bed, to be dreaming about Wintrobe's indices...I hope...!

 

[Pandacinny]

Man, I sure hated having to tell everyone about my rejections, too. The worst ever was when I applied to MN my first time around. My dad is from there and he was SO EXCITED about me possibly moving to Minnesota. When the rejection letter came in the mail, he grabbed it before I got home and headed in to wait for me. When I got home from work he said "Look, you got a letter from Minnesota! I thought we'd open it together!" I figured it would be a rejection so I wasn't super upset, but he was just crushed. I can still remember the sad look on his face. Of course since he's my dad, he thinks I'm so wonderful that every school would accept me in a heartbeat. 😛

 

[chris03333]

have you completed before gaining admission (or still not gaining admissions?) If you would like to share more info, I would also be interested in what you changed between application cycles.

Just thought this might be interesting and give some ideas for those of us starting to figure out what to do if we need to reapply.

I applied twice. Had the LOVELY experience of being wait listed/alternate everywhere I applied the first time (worked out better for me in the end as my husband had one more year to complete his engineering degree).

Retook the GRE and.................(drum roll please).........................
Did MUCH worse 😱 Only retook to improve my verbal section. They gave me 2 verbal sections, one was easy and I nailed it, other one was really hard, once I saw my scores (same Q and A but V lower by 100 points, I kid you not) realized that the verbal hard section was the real one of the 2😱

So then I just went back to my full time job (in research) and reapplied vowing to never take that blasted test again. App # 2...5 acceptances😀 and 3 rejections😎.

 

[rugbychick16]

I applied and got into two schools my first cycle, wait listed at a third. My GPA and heavy credit loads during undergrad were probably my strongest point, along with my wide variety of animal experience.

 

[TSUJC]

I applied in 2006 and was rejected from all 5 schools. I took two years to do my masters and get my GPA up. On my second attempt I was waitlist a CSU and accepted to Mississippi.

For what it is worth I agree with your decision about pursuing a masters at a vet school, my masters was really stressful and the vet school aspect made it much harder. Good luck with what ever you decide, I personally think that you are a really strong applicant.

 

[knittinggirl]

I applied 4 times first for Fall 2004 admission and then different years until I was accepeted this year. I had 3 interviews at my IS (VMRCVM). A year after my undergrad I took a few more bio classes. Then 2 years ago I began work on a master's. I also took the GRE again since it had been 5 years since the last time (also increased my score). I had decided that this was my last year applying no matter what the outcome and if I didn't get in I would go for a PhD (which I was also accepted to). It's nice to finally be able to say I've been accepted after so many years. 🙂

 

[ShelterGirl]

First try - only applied to in-state, rejected

Second try - applied to 6 schools - accepted at 2 (including my in-state), waitlisted at 1, rejected at 3

The difference? I got a different tech job with more duties and volunteered at a zoo. I was missing breadth and depth of experience.

 

[Doggone DVM]

I applied all over my first time around (while completing my senior year of college...One lousy interview where I was asked "WHEN you don't get in, what are your plans" (WHEN? really? Not an if?...still scarred can you tell) Rejected by all.🙁
Second attempt: applied only in-state...interviewed, and rejected.
Third (and final- YAY!!!) attempt, I have gotten 5 interviews, and 3 acceptances so far.
What changed? I worked on a Master's, improved my GRE (although not by much) and worked for more than 800 hours at a large animal clinic...I had no previous experience. Looks like something paid off. I'm going to say it was persistance.

 

[jenk]

I applied 4 times first for Fall 2004 admission and then different years until I was accepeted this year. I had 3 interviews at my IS (VMRCVM). A year after my undergrad I took a few more bio classes. Then 2 years ago I began work on a master's. I also took the GRE again since it had been 5 years since the last time (also increased my score). I had decided that this was my last year applying no matter what the outcome and if I didn't get in I would go for a PhD (which I was also accepted to). It's nice to finally be able to say I've been accepted after so many years. 🙂

Sorry if this is not the right place for this, but knittinggirl, did you get into the dual PhD/DVM program at VMRCVM? I'm waiting to hear back, so I want to know if they made the decision yet.

 

[knittinggirl]

Sorry if this is not the right place for this, but knittinggirl, did you get into the dual PhD/DVM program at VMRCVM? I'm waiting to hear back, so I want to know if they made the decision yet.

No I didn't apply for the dual program just each program separately. I never received a formal acceptance letter but was contacted by one of the professors there that was interested in my application and wanted to meet with me to set up a potential research project. I don't know if someone must be willing to support you in their lab for them to then accept you (as it normally is in a typical PhD program) or if it is the other way around because of the dual program.

 

[sambone]

OMG knittinggirl, I assume you knit? I am obsessed! Trying to knit like a madwoman before vetschool starts. Have you seen Ravelry? Another awesome forum!
Wow I just realized how lame I am. At home on a Saturday night, on SDN, writing about knitting. I blame it on living in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by sheep!

 

[Truth74]

This is my second cycle. I am currently wait listed for the second time at UIUC. As it has been explained, the IS list doesn't move much, so I will more than likely be applying again.

At the first application review, I was told that my GRE score and grades were adequate. I was told to keep taking courses to prove that I was still involved in learning. I was told to get more LA experience. I didn't put my riding experience, chick raising, or small farm experience, because I considered those things at home. The adviser told me I should have added those in the supplemental application. I did so for the second cycle. I spoke to my vet, and he gave me names for LA vets in my area. I did a few rides, but it's hard to rack up hours when you work 40+ hours a week, volunteer, and have family obligations. I plan on having more LA hours when I get to October. Heck, I drive over an hour to volunteer. What's a few hundred more miles in the grand scheme of things?

 

[jglovicz]

I applied to several schools to start the fall of 2007. I didn't get accepted, but went to graduate school instead (I applied to a few MS programs after I got a few vet school rejections). I applied again this past October and I had 4 interviews. I have had 1 acceptance, 1 waitlist, and in the next few weeks I should hear from the other 2. WHEW! I'm so relieved that I don't have to apply again!

 

[knittinggirl]

OMG knittinggirl, I assume you knit? I am obsessed! Trying to knit like a madwoman before vetschool starts. Have you seen Ravelry? Another awesome forum!
Wow I just realized how lame I am. At home on a Saturday night, on SDN, writing about knitting. I blame it on living in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by sheep!

Yes I'm on Ravelry. I've been a member for about a year and I love it! Look me up I'm ashleynm.

 

[IvyLynx]

Sumstorm, is there any way to go back and make this a poll? I think that'd be interesting. 1-10 and 10+ maybe? Just a thought. Knowing the average application cycles might be interesting

 

[DocDVMD]

Sumstorm, is there any way to go back and make this a poll? I think that'd be interesting. 1-10 and 10+ maybe? Just a thought. Knowing the average application cycles might be interesting

REALLY good idea!

 

[246202]

First application cycle and I was accepted to NCSU. I still cannot believe it! I am an older applicant (32) and I have a Masters which I believe helped tremendously. I applied to Purdue and interviewed. UT & UG were rejections-which stung and shattered my confidence. But I wanted to go to NCSU anyways, so things have a way of working out.

 

[IvyLynx]

1st application cycle. Accepted: NCSU (Rejected: Davis)

 

[DocDVMD]

1st and last application cycle! 😀 Not quite finished yet, though...

 

[turnandburn]

I've only ever bothered to apply to my IS school.

First time: rejected without interview. Was told there weren't any obvious problems with my application, but that I was lacking a little in terms of leadership/community involvement. So I got another volunteering job and participated in a few walks and fundraisers.

Second time: interviewed and waitlisted, ended up not getting in. Was told I was a good applicant! Just happened to be one good applicant among many qualified applicants and was beaten out by fractions of points! 🙁 I basically kept doing what I was doing, rewrote my personal statement, finished my B.S., rewrote some things on my application.

Third time: accepted! 🙂

 

[feadog]

This is my first cycle... two interviews down (waitlisted at both), two to go next week.

It's been nice not agonizing over the mail for a little while, because any more news won't be coming until after the interviews ... but it's March and I'm getting antsy!