Instate and animal experience question

[ADM1220]

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Has anyone not applied to their instate school? What were your reasons? Maybe I'm crazy, but I am seriously considering not applying to UF. I've been living here for 3 years and my allergies/sinuses/migraines have gotten out of control. Been to the doc/ENT/allergist... blah blah blah. Am I being ridiculous? Should I just suck it up for the sake of saving money?

Next question: I am a non-traditional applicant. Should I put all the extracurricular stuff that I did in undergrad (2002-2006) on my application? How much is too much and is there a point where I shouldn't include it because it was done years ago?

Thanks in advance.

 

[that redhead]

Has anyone not applied to their instate school? What were your reasons? Maybe I'm crazy, but I am seriously considering not applying to UF. I've been living here for 3 years and my allergies/sinuses/migraines have gotten out of control. Been to the doc/ENT/allergist... blah blah blah. Am I being ridiculous? Should I just suck it up for the sake of saving money?

Next question: I am a non-traditional applicant. Should I put all the extracurricular stuff that I did in undergrad (2002-2006) on my application? How much is too much and is there a point where I shouldn't include it because it was done years ago?

Thanks in advance.

Most people agree that attending your cheapest option is the best bet, and usually one's IS is cheapest. However, if you think your health problems will prevent you from being able to succeed in school, I would consider not applying in-state. You could apply to a school that would let you get residency after a certain amount of time.

I would definitely include your ECs from your undergraduate time. I would include everything significant - clubs, awards/honors, event participation, etc. I think the further you go back (some people include things from high school on their applications), the more selective you should be. Being elected prom decoration chair shouldn't be included over an award for most community service hours, for example.

 

[WillowLeaf]

Has anyone not applied to their instate school? What were your reasons? Maybe I'm crazy, but I am seriously considering not applying to UF. I've been living here for 3 years and my allergies/sinuses/migraines have gotten out of control. Been to the doc/ENT/allergist... blah blah blah. Am I being ridiculous? Should I just suck it up for the sake of saving money?

Next question: I am a non-traditional applicant. Should I put all the extracurricular stuff that I did in undergrad (2002-2006) on my application? How much is too much and is there a point where I shouldn't include it because it was done years ago?

Thanks in advance.

If the medical issues are pretty bad, maybe you could consider moving to a more allergy-friendly state to gain residency before applying to their school as a resident? If it was me, I would rather delay my application one year than to have migraines and bad allergies during vet school. Even if you're okay with suffering through the pain of migraines, I'd also consider how much time they take up. I know with my migraines, I lose at least a day with each one because I can't function normally or think clearly or read or drive... A one-year delay in applying would be so worth it to avoid something like that during vet school, in my opinion.

Or first apply places that allow you to gain residency after a year. You still have the one year of high tuition, but it's not as bad as all four years of OOS tuition. But you also have to get in as an OOS applicant in that case, which can be more competitive.

 

[Ashgirl]

For your first question, I think it depends on what is important to you. Everyone is different and would have different answers, so it's important to pinpoint what would make you happy at a school, whether it be the debt, location, curriculum, etc. How important is your location to you? Does the debt really worry you? Have you looked at the difference between instate and out of state tuition? For OOS, you could be looking at $300,000 or more at some schools. You could also apply to schools that allow you to get residency after one year as well if you are set on going OOS.

Have you toured or visited the school itself yet? I was actually really close to not applying to my instate since my dream school was elsewhere, but in the end I decided that I should, and I'm so very glad that I did. Even though I didn't think I liked the location at the time and had my sights on another school, interviewing at the school made me realized how much I loved the school itself (and completely erased my fears about the location), and I even choose it over my OOS dream school when it was time to decide.

Ultimately, it's up to you to decide what you think is important, and what will make you happy.

 

[KCgophervet]

Has anyone not applied to their instate school? What were your reasons? Maybe I'm crazy, but I am seriously considering not applying to UF. I've been living here for 3 years and my allergies/sinuses/migraines have gotten out of control. Been to the doc/ENT/allergist... blah blah blah. Am I being ridiculous? Should I just suck it up for the sake of saving money?

Next question: I am a non-traditional applicant. Should I put all the extracurricular stuff that I did in undergrad (2002-2006) on my application? How much is too much and is there a point where I shouldn't include it because it was done years ago?

Thanks in advance.

Since you've been out of UG for awhile have you considered moving early and trying to establish residency in another state? Just a thought - not sure what your situation is.

Also - I applied 3 years post UG and I included relevant stuff from high school (suggested by my instate's adcom). So include everything, you have to put the dates in there so if the school thinks its been too long then they can ignore it if they choose, but they can only choose to look at it or not if you give it to them in the first place.

 

[ADM1220]

Unfortunately, I can't move. My husband is stationed here for the military. He will be getting out 3 months after I begin vet school. I feel like a wuss, but the pollen here is killing me. My red car is actually yellow right now, due to the thick coating of pollen.

 

[WhtsThFrequency]

I know how that feels, literally.

I'm very sensitive to hot temperatures. I get awful joint pain in my wrists, elbows, and knees during bad summers, and I was dying all through residency in Texas. It was definitely a contributing factor when I decided to move back to the East Coast to do my PhD rather than stay in there. My body just couldn't take month after month of 100-105+ temps. For almost 6 months out of the average year I was miserable and painful. No fun.

Of course, I didn't have the monetary debate that you do, but definitly think about your functional capability. If it's really that bad, I (and hell, I'm usually the one banging the "GO CHEAPEST!" gong the loudest) would also consider going to a place where you can feel like a normal human being.

 

[EngrSC]

If you're definitely using your husband's GI bill then financially it would be best to attend your IS . My husband went to an info session and they said they cover the entire tuition if it's a school in your state of residence. If you go OOS they cap it - I don't recall the dollar amount though. If the difference is no vs. some student loans then maybe it would be best to gain residency in whatever state your husband is sent to next and apply to that school (as long as it's a state with a vet school).

I may have already told you this 😉