Is there an area for explanation on VMCAs for family emergencies, etc..?

[VUprevetbubsy]

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So I just had my advising meeting for the semester and my advisor basically told me not to apply to vet school...said my grades were not competitive enough..

My question is, is there an area to explain on the VMCAS the reasoning for lower grades due to family emergency, etc? In my sophomore year of undergrad, right in the middle of Ochem and Genetics, my mother suddenly and unexpectedly passed away from cardiomyopathy. I had to take a week off of school, and coming back, its not hard to imagine that it was pretty difficult to jump back on the horse and focus on school. I had missed midterms, and while my professors were accomodating, my grades still suffered. I just couldn't muster the focus and drive to really perform to the best of my ability.
My advisor cited this drop in grades, and said that because Ochem and genetics were so important in the application, that I just would not even have a chance for admittance.
Is there a way to relay that message to vet schools? A way for them to see and maybe understand some major life events that could cause some problems. My thought is that as long as there is an upward trend after that, they could see the improvement. But am I just S.O.L?

 

[twelvetigers]

There is a section exactly for that.

 

[nyanko]

Your advisor sounds like sort of a jerk.

There's an explanation section on VMCAS for that reason, but you'll want to try to spin it into something that helped you learn and grow as a person rather than just saying "my mom died and that's why my grades sucked." At least, that's what I've heard people say about the explanation section.

 

[rachroo]

So I just had my advising meeting for the semester and my advisor basically told me not to apply to vet school...said my grades were not competitive enough..

Despite your bad semester and despite your advisor's opinion, if your heart is in veterinary medicine, do not give up! People have gotten into vet school before with C's, D's, and F's. Granted, you can't get all C's, D's, and F's in your pre-reqs and other courses...but 1 or 2 (or a bad semester) will not mean you won't get in at all.

I'd advise you to do a few things. First, really look at the past posts on this forum from the past few months/years; there is a wealth of information within this site...use it!!

Second, kick butt on the rest of your courses. If you need to: get a tutor, form a study group, read before class, make notecards, re-write out your notes, meet with the prof, etc. Learn how you study best; the key is to study smarter, not harder. I am not saying you have to get straight A's, but do your absolute best. Then, you can point out by saying, 'yes, I had a bad semester due to ABC, but I've learned XYZ, and look how much I have improved...(I agree with your comment about the upward trend).

Thirdly, study and do great on the GRE!! Often times (depending on the school), this can help if you have a 'lower' GPA.

Finally, really pay attention to the schools you are applying to. Each school puts emphasis on certain things. Some schools only look at your cumulative GPA (and your individual pre-reqs) while others have a complicated formula that takes into account different GPA calculations. Some schools really look at breadth and depth of veterinary/animal experiences. Use this site and get the most recent VMSAR book to help you see what individual schools want.

My question is, is there an area to explain on the VMCAS the reasoning for lower grades due to family emergency, etc?

Yes, as others have mentioned, there is an "explanation statement" within the VMCAS application. The experience you had to go through must have been extremely difficult, so you can state what happened but...to agree with what others have said, say what you've learned from the situation and how you have improved.

I am sorry this is so long. I just want you to know that you don't have to listen to your advisor...I know my pre-vet advisor wasn't the best. 🙄

Good luck!!

 

[CBRGrl]

There are also explanation sections on a lot of the various supplemental applications too, in addition to the one on VMCAS, just in case you need more room to expand. I second everyone else's opinion, your adviser kinda sounds like a jerk...if they are advising you about vet school they should probably know what's actually on the application before giving you advice...dont give up!

 

[Mangause]

I posted something in an area to explain why my first year English grades weren't grade b/c of my background. So I am sure you can post this issue in that section too!

Good luck man, don't give up that easily~